Harness system with locking mechanism

Abstract

【assignment】 The automatic harness system (1) for a child car seat includes a tension web (3), a retractor device (2) configured to allow tightening of the tension web (3), a locking mechanism, and a release mechanism connected to the retractor device (2). The release mechanism includes an actuator, and movement of the actuator from a first position to a second position causes the release mechanism to move from the first state to the second state, or vice versa. The position of the actuator allows a user to distinguish whether the release mechanism is in the first state or the second state. [Selected Figure] Figure 1A

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic harness system for a child seat and a child seat equipped with the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Child seats have become an essential part of the safety system in motor vehicles, for example passenger cars, when a child of a certain height or weight is to travel in the motor vehicle. Child seats are adapted for use with a certain range of either weight or height, or a combination of both, which means that the child seat must be adapted to be adjusted for the particular size or weight of the child who will be using the seat. This adjustability is often found in seats with adjustable neck collars, or seats where the harness system is adapted to be adjusted to the size of the child.

[0003] One of the most common mistakes parents or guardians make when securing a child in a car seat is not adjusting the harness correctly to the child's size, which can make the harness too tight for the child and make the child feel uncomfortable. A more dangerous scenario is when the harness is too loose on the child, and in the event of a car crash, the movement of the child in the loose harness increases the impact force.

[0004] Therefore, improvements to harness systems are needed to minimize the risk that a child will not be properly secured in a child seat due to being unaware of the risks, demands, and / or even malfunctions of the system, and such improvements allow parents and / or guardians to be confident that their actions will ensure that the child is properly secured and that the risk of failure is minimal.

[0005] US Patent No. 5,398,997 discloses a seat belt system for restraining an automobile occupant, the seat belt system including a retractor, a first locking tongue, a second locking tongue, and a buckle. The retractor includes a spool that can rotate in the webbing winding direction and the webbing counter-winding direction, and the retractor further includes a locking bar that prevents the spool from rotating in the webbing counter-winding direction when the first and second locking tongues are connected to the buckle. This seat belt system relies on a buckle connector inserted into the buckle, and the user cannot distinguish whether the locking mechanism is activated or not when the buckle is assembled. In other words, even if the locking mechanism is not activated due to a mistake, it is difficult for the user to recognize the mistake.

[0006] EP 2391525 discloses a child seat with a harness retractor, the system comprising a web and buckle connector and a rotatable retractor mechanism, a release mechanism connected between the locking device and the buckle housing is operable to switch the locking device from a first position to a second position, allowing rotation of the retractor mechanism in a retracting direction. The harness retractor locking mechanism prevents the user from adjusting the tightness of the seat belt when the seat locking mechanism is engaged. This means that if the user pulls the harness inappropriately, the locking mechanism will prevent the user from subsequently adjusting the tightness. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Thus, there is a need for improvements in harness systems for automobiles, and in particular in harness systems for child car seats. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to the present invention, there is provided a harness system for a child seat comprising: at least one tension web; a retractor device connected to a first end of the at least one tension web, the retractor device configured to allow tightening of the tension web to move the tension web in a first direction and to allow slackening of the tension web to move the tension web in a second direction; a locking mechanism comprising a first locking portion connected to the second end of the tension web and a second locking portion configured to mate with the first locking portion to secure the first locking portion to the second locking portion; and a release mechanism connected to the retractor device, the release mechanism configured to allow the retractor device to move the tension web in the first and second directions when the release mechanism is in a first state and to prevent the retractor device from moving the tension web in the second direction when the release mechanism is in a second state, The release mechanism may further comprise an actuator connected to the release mechanism, wherein movement of the actuator from a first position to a second position causes the release mechanism to move from the first state to the second state or vice versa, and the position of the actuator allows a user to identify whether the release mechanism is in the first state or the second state.

[0009] A first portion of the locking mechanism may be one or more buckle connectors and a second portion of the locking mechanism may be a buckle housing.

[0010] The two states of the release mechanism allow the user to operate the harness system with a child secured in the child seat and the tension web either released or tightened, ensuring that the tension web is sufficiently loose to secure the child safely and / or comfortably. Once a child is positioned in the seat and the harness is positioned sufficiently loose to secure the child, the actuator may be operated to its second position, causing the retractor device to prevent the tension web from loosening any further. Thus, the locking device is engaged and the tension web is further adjusted to tighten around the child, but is prevented from loosening any further. Thus, in the event of an accident, the retractor device ensures that the tension web does not loosen during the accident and the child is safe in the child seat.

[0011] By positioning the harness system such that the user can visually determine whether the actuator is in its second position, the user can be assured that the harness system is in the proper position during travel modes of the vehicle. If the actuator was not visible, the user would have to rigorously test the harness system each time they secured a child in the seat to be confident that the system was in the proper position and that the car seat would be safe for the child during travel.

[0012] This allows the tension web to be retracted when the child is positioned in the child seat and, together with the second locking portion, the actuator to be improperly positioned so that the parent or guardian does not have to move the harness system from the area of ​​the child seat in which the child is placed. The retractor device may be adapted to allow the tension web to be fully retracted (wound up) when no external force is applied to the web and the second position of the actuator to be positioned away from the seating area of ​​the child seat.

[0013] Furthermore, the present invention allows the car seat to automatically adjust / retract during use, for example if a child is wearing a large winter jacket and the jacket becomes compressed during use, the total volume of the clothed child is therefore reduced during use and the present invention ensures that the reduced force on the tension web causes the retractor device to wind up more of the tension web during use.

[0014] When in its second state, the release mechanism allows the retractor device to move the tension web in a first direction and prevents the retractor device from moving the tension web in a second direction when the release device is in the second state. Within the scope of the present invention, the harness system includes two or more tension webs and associated components of a corresponding retractor device and release mechanism, which has the advantage that the release mechanism is connected to one actuator and the locking of the release mechanism can be controlled by a single actuator.

[0015] In the scope of the present invention, the term "first locking mechanism connected to the second end of the tension web" means that the first locking mechanism can be connected directly or indirectly to the second end of the tension web. It also means that the locking mechanism is connected to the second end of the tension web, but an intermediate harness or part of the harness system can be between the first locking mechanism and the second end of the tension web. The point to be considered is that a pulling force can be transmitted between the first locking mechanism and the second end of the tension web.

[0016] Within the scope of the present invention, the retractor device may be a quick adjuster or similar device well known to those skilled in the art.

[0017] In accordance with the present invention, the term "release mechanism" can be viewed as any element that contributes to preventing the retractor mechanism from unwinding the tension web and selectively allowing the tension web to be wound up in addition to being unwound.

[0018] In one embodiment, the release mechanism may comprise a latch device disposed within the retractor device, which in a first position locks the release mechanism in its first state and in a second position locks the release mechanism in its second state. According to the invention, the first and second states of the release mechanism may be communicated to the retractor device, which is configured such that in the first position the retractor device is locked in its first state and in the second position the retractor device is locked in its second state. The retractor device may be a resiliently biased spool, where the resiliency applies a pulling force to the tension web, and when a force less than the resiliency is applied to the tension web, the web is loaded onto the spool. However, when the retractor device is in its first state and the force applied to the web is greater than the resiliency, the web is unwound from the spool, and the spool increases the length of the web outside of the spool. By disposing the latch device within the retractor device, the mode of the retractor device can be changed from its first state to its second state or vice versa in close proximity to the spool, whereby the latch is in direct mechanical communication with the spool of the retractor device, thus reducing the risk of mechanical failure as the latch is in direct mechanical communication with the retractor device.

[0019] In one embodiment, the release mechanism is resiliently biased to its second state. This means that the release mechanism must be actively actuated to be in the first state, the retractor device allowing the web to move in one or more directions. The release mechanism therefore always seeks to be operated in its second state, which means minimizing the risk of the release mechanism failing to move from the second state to the first state unintentionally. The resiliently biased release mechanism ensures that the retractor device always seeks to be in a safety mode, i.e. in the second state, in the event of a failure of the connection between the actuator and the retractor device. Thus, in the event of a failure, the risk of failure of the retractor device is minimized, the tension web is prevented from moving out of the retractor device and the child remains safe when fixedly seated in the child seat. Thus, in the event of a collision, there is virtually no risk of the tension web being thrown out of the retractor device, and thus the child is prevented from coming loose from the harness system.

[0020] In one embodiment, the actuator is an elongated member having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end of the elongated member being configured to be pivotally connected to the child seat, the distal end constituting the second locking portion. By providing the actuator connected to the child seat and visible to the user, the user can easily recognize whether the actuator activates the first and / or second state of the release mechanism of the harness system. Furthermore, by pivotally connecting the actuator to the child seat and locating the second locking member at the free end, the actuator can be arranged to make it impossible, or at least difficult, to connect the first locking member to the second locking member when the release mechanism is in its first state, unless the actuator is rotated to a position where the second state of the release mechanism is activated. The actuator is attached to the child seat such that the actuator is adapted to pivot away from the child seat, whereby the first state is activated when the actuator is rotated away from the child seat, while the second state is activated when the actuator and the locking mechanism are rotated towards the seat and a child is seated in the seat. Thus, when the second state is activated, the actuator is positioned such that the second locking mechanism naturally mates with the first locking mechanism.

[0021] In one embodiment, the actuator may be spring biased to automatically rotate to a position that activates the first state when the actuator is released, the position being adapted to be in a direction away from the seat. However, since the retractor device is also spring biased and adapted to retract the tension web, the retractor device may be spring biased to an extent that the spring bias of the retractor device is greater than the spring bias of the actuator. Thus, when the first locking mechanism is connected to the second locking mechanism, the retractor device is capable of moving the actuator to its second position that activates the second state of the release mechanism. Thus, when the locking mechanism is mated, the retractor device places the actuator in the second state, and when the release mechanism transitions to its second state, the release mechanism prevents the actuator from returning to the first state because the release mechanism prevents the release mechanism from pulling the tension web back from the retractor device. Thus, a child or user using the seat cannot move the actuator from its second state to its first state without releasing the locking mechanism, i.e., disengaging the locking buckle of the first tension web from the fitting of the mating buckle connector of the actuator.

[0022] In one embodiment, the release mechanism may comprise a release arm adapted to be biased by the actuator and connected to the retractor device to fix the retractor device in its first state or its second state. The actuator may be adapted to move from a first position to a second position or vice versa and may be attached to the safety seat with a single connection. The movement of the actuator is thus transferred to the release mechanism directly or via a release arm, which is adapted to be biased by the actuator from the first position to the second position or vice versa. The movement of the actuator is thus used to move the release arm to its relative position and thus transferred to the release mechanism to activate the first state and / or the second state. By providing a release arm, the actuator can be decoupled from a direct association with the release mechanism, whereby unintended actuator movement can be intentionally decoupled from the release mechanism. Such a situation may occur due to a collision, where an impact force moves the actuator slightly to its first position. The provision of the release arm ensures that some movement of the actuator is not transferred to the release mechanism, minimising or completely preventing the risk of unintended release of the tension web. Thus, the release arm is only used to transfer movement of the actuator to its open position when the actuator has moved fully to its first position, and no movement of the actuator is transferred until the actuator has reached its full first position. Thus, any forces generated by the transitional movement of the actuator between its second and first positions are isolated from the release mechanism.

[0023] In one embodiment, the release mechanism may comprise a locking member separate from the actuator, which in a locked position prevents the release mechanism from moving to its first state when the actuator is in its second position, and in an open position allows the release mechanism to operate in its first state. By providing a locking member that actively locks the release mechanism from the open state, redundancy is provided to the release mechanism. The locking member may, for example, be used to maintain the release arm in its locked or second position, or to provide a second lock in the retractor device. Thus, in a crash, the locking member may provide additional protection if the force is too great and the type of impact causes the release arm to move unintentionally, or if the release mechanism of the retractor fails.

[0024] In one embodiment, an actuator may be coupled to the locking member, the actuator being configured to move the locking member from its locked position to its open position or vice versa. This means that the redundant locking feature of the release mechanism can only be released if the actuator is moved to its first position. Thus, if the actuator is not moved to its second position, the locking member is maintained in position, preventing the release mechanism from unintentionally moving from its second locked state to its first open state. Thus, the redundant safety feature is not activated and the release mechanism cannot be opened until the actuator is moved to its first position.

[0025] In one embodiment, the release mechanism may comprise a first release module and / or a second release module configured to be located at a base of the child safety seat. Providing a first and second release module may isolate some functions of the release mechanism at one location of the child safety seat and may prevent a potential failure in the first release module and / or the second release module from being transmitted to other parts of the release module. The first release module may, for example, comprise an actuator, a release arm, a redundant safety member, and / or a second release module. Locking mechanism and a housing that houses the components of the first module and is adapted to be positioned between the legs of a user of the seat. The second release module includes a retractor device, a release mechanism, a redundant safety member, a tension web, and Matching locking device and a housing that holds the components of the second release module.

[0026] In one embodiment, the first release module may be coupled to the second release module via a release cable adapted to transmit a force applied to the first release module to the second release module and vice versa. By isolating the first release module from the second release module and coupling the two modules with a cable, the first module, the second module and / or the cable may be isolated such that a failure occurring in the first module, the second module and / or the cable does not affect other components of the release mechanism. To that effect, the cable may be biased by a spring, which may be disposed within the retractor device, and the spring causes the locking mechanism to maintain the retractor device in the second state. Thus, if the cable is cut or broken due to a collision, the spring causes the retractor device to not move the tension web in its second direction, i.e., to release or pull it out of the retractor device. The spring force of the cable is adapted such that the elastic force of the cable spring is less than the elastic force of the actuator, and when the actuator is elastically moved to its first position, the elastic force of the actuator is greater than the elastic force of the cable spring, which means that the cable spring does not prevent the actuator from moving to its first position and allows the second state of the release mechanism to be activated.

[0027] The present invention also relates to a child seat equipped with the above-mentioned harness system.

[0028] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the following drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1A-1B] 1 is a side view of a harness system according to the present invention. [Figure 2A-2C] FIG. 2 is a side view of the actuator according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3A-3B] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an actuator according to the present invention. [Figure 4A-4B] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a safety member according to the present invention. [Figure 5A-5F] 1A and 1B are side, cross-sectional, detailed cross-sectional, front and front cross-sectional views of a retractor device, respectively. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] FIG. 1A is a side view of a harness system 1 according to the present invention, which comprises a retractor device 2 that can be mounted on the back of a child seat (not shown) and a tension web 3 connected to the retractor device 2, and the retractor device comprises a spool mechanism 4 that feeds the tension web 3 outward (unwinding direction) or inward (winding direction).

[0031] The harness system 1 further comprises a first module housing 5 comprising an actuator arm 6 pivotally connected to the housing 5 at a pivot point 7. The housing 5 is adapted to be positioned at the base of a safety seat (not shown), which may be adapted to be positioned between the legs adjacent to the crotch of a user. The housing 5 may be mechanically connected to a retractor device via a cable 8, such that movement of the actuator arm 6 may be converted into a force that is transmitted to the retractor device via the cable 8. The tension web 3 may be connected to a locking mechanism 9 of the actuator arm via a mating locking device 29, with a free end 10 of the tension web being rigidly connected to the locking mechanism 9. The locking mechanism 9 may comprise a switch, a button, and a release mechanism for selectively releasing the locking mechanism from the locking mechanism 9.

[0032] The actuator arm 6 pivots from its first position shown in FIG. 1B to a second position shown in FIG. 1A, transferring the actuator arm position to the retractor device 2 to enable the retractor device to function; in the first state, the retractor device allows the tension web 3 to extend from the retractor device 2 and retract into the retractor device in the direction shown by arrow B in FIG. 1B.

[0033] 1A shows the harness system in a second state, with the actuator arm 6 manipulated to pivot to its second position. Movement of the actuator arm 6 transmits force via the cable 8 towards the retractor device, and the release mechanism prevents the retractor device from ejecting the tension web 3 from the retractor device. When the actuator arm 6 is moved to its second position, a locking device 29 attached to the free end 10 of the tension web is inserted into the locking mechanism 9, securing the mechanical connection between the retractor device 2 and the actuator arm 6 via the tension web 3.

[0034] As shown in Figure 1B, the first state of the release mechanism and harness system allows a person to be secured in a safety seat to be positioned on a seat (not shown) and allows the tension web to be released to an extent that the tension web is adapted to encase the person in the seat. Once the tension web has been released to a suitable length, the actuator arm 6 pivots to its second position shown in Figure 1A and the locking device is secured to the locking mechanism 10. The pivoting of the actuator arm 6 to its second position causes the retractor device to prevent the tension web from being pulled out further and resiliently retract into the retractor device in the direction of arrow B shown in Figure 1A, whereby the tension web suitably clamps against the body of the person seated in the seat.

[0035] Because the tension web 3 is attached to the actuator arm 6 and does not slacken, the tension web prevents the actuator arm from pivoting to its first position until the locking device is released from the locking mechanism 9 .

[0036] Thus, when a carer or parent of a child using the safety seat straps the child in, secures the locking device together with the locking mechanism 9 and checks the tightness of the straps (tension webs), the carer can be confident that the child will not come loose from the seat because, by identifying that the actuator arm 6 is in its second position, the straps are prevented from coming loose.

[0037] 2A-2C show the housing 5 and actuator arm 6 in different positions. The actuator arm 6 is adapted to rotate about a pivot point 7 so that the free end of the actuator arm moves from an upright position (shown in FIG. 2), where the actuator arm locks the retractor device in its second state, to a flat position (shown in FIG. 2B), which allows the tension web to be fed into and out of the retractor device.

[0038] The movement of the actuator arm 6 may be spring biased such that a force F1 is continually applied to the actuator arm tending to rotate the actuator arm 6 from an upright position to a flat position, allowing the tension web to be released and slackened. The force F1 is of a magnitude such that it does not apply excessive torque to the tension web when the web is secured to the actuator arm 6. However, when the tension web is released and no external forces are applied to the arm, the force is sufficient to move the actuator arm to its flat position.

[0039] 3A and 3B are partial cross-sectional views of the housing 5 and actuator arm 6, with FIG. 3A showing the actuator arm in a flat position, while FIG. 3B shows the actuator arm 6 in an upright position.

[0040] The housing 5 further comprises a release arm 11 pivotally connected to the housing 5 via pivot point 12, with a first end 13 attached and fixed to the cable 8 and a second end 14 comprising a curved surface 15. The actuator arm may comprise a torque member 16 connected to the actuator arm 6 and immovable relative to the actuator arm and extending from a bottom end 17 of the actuator arm. As the actuator arm 6 pivots, the torque member 16 follows the movement of the actuator arm, where the torque member may share the same pivot point 7 as the actuator arm and extends along the longitudinal axis of and beyond the actuator arm in a direction away from the pivot point.

[0041] When the actuator arm 6 is in its upright position, as shown in Figure 3B, the torque member 16 is positioned away from the release arm 11 and therefore does not exert any force on the release arm 11, maintaining the release arm in a locked position and rotating the first end 13 of the release arm 11 to a position adjacent the cable attachment 18 on the housing 5. The cable 8 is biased by a spring with a force F2, which ensures that the release arm 11 is maintained in the rocket position when the actuator arm 6 is in its upright position.

[0042] When the actuator arm 6 rotates via pivot point 7 to its flat position (as shown in FIG. 3A ), the torque member 16 rotates with the arm in a direction towards the release arm 11, causing the torque member 16 to contact the release arm 11 and move along a first surface area 19 of the release arm 11 until a contact surface 20 contacts the curved surface 15. When the contact surface 20 of the torque member 16 contacts the curved surface 15, the contact surface 20 exerts a force on the curved surface that is greater than a force F2 exerted via the cable 8 causing the release arm 11 to pivot, causing the first end 13 to move in a direction away from the cable attachment, thereby pulling the first end 13 onto the cable 8 with a force F3. The pulling force F3 is greater than the spring force F2 and causes the cable to activate the second state of the release mechanism, causing the retractor device to move the tension web in two directions, as shown in FIG. 1B .

[0043] When the movement of the actuator arm 6 is reversed, the torque member 16 slides away from the curved surface 15, allowing the release arm 11 to return to its locked position, as shown in Figure 3B.

[0044] Figures 4A and 4B show the actuator arm 6 in its upright and flat positions, respectively. The housing 5 may further comprise a fixing member 21 adapted to fix the release arm 11 in its locked position (Figure 4A) when the actuator arm 6 is in its upright position. The fixing member may be a resilient member adapted in its natural position flush with the release arm 11, with a free end 22 of the fixing member 21 coupled with a first surface 19 of the release arm 11, thereby ensuring that the release arm is prevented from pivoting in the direction indicated by arrow C. When the actuator arm 6 moves to its flat position, shown in Figure 4B, the release arm is allowed to pivot to its open position (shown in Figure 3A), and the torque member 16 is adapted to apply a resilient force to the fixing member outwardly from the plane of the release arm 11, moving the free end of the fixing member away from the release arm 11. Thus, when the free end is pushed outward, the release arm 11 is free to rotate about its pivot point 12, allowing the torque member 16 to urge the release arm 11 into its position shown in Figure 3A.

[0045] When the actuator arm moves back to its upright position, the torque arm 16 releases the force on the securing member and resiliently returns to its natural position shown in FIG. 4A when the release arm 11 returns to its locked position (shown in FIG. 3B).

[0046] 5A is a side view of the retractor device 2, FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the retractor device along axis II, FIG. 5C is a detailed view of the locking mechanism and spring-biased cable 8 of the retractor device 2, FIG. 5D is a cross-sectional view of the retractor device along axis II-II of FIG. 5F, a front view of the retractor device, and FIG. 5E is a detailed view of FIG. 5D. The retractor device 2 includes at least one release pin 28, which in its first position (shown in FIG. 5C) maintains the retractor device in its second state and prevents the retractor device from unwinding the tension web from the retractor device. When the release pin is pressed into its second position (not shown), the retractor device can pull the tension web in both directions.

[0047] FIG. 5F shows a front view of the retractor device 2, which includes a housing 25. The retractor device 2 of this example may include a first spool 30 disposed on a first side 32 and a second spool 31 disposed on a second side 33, each spool adapted to take up or let off a tension web (not shown). The housing 25 is adapted to enclose the spools 30 and 31 and protect the tension web from the surrounding environment. The housing 25 may have a first web opening 34 for the first spool 30 and a second web opening 35 for the second spool, allowing the tension web (not shown) to extend into or out of the housing 25 for take-up and let-off. A retractor device according to the present invention may also include two or more retractors, which are not integrated.

[0048] FIG. 5C shows the proximal end 23 of the cable 8, which is attached to a release member 24. The release member is secured to the retractor device housing 25 via a spring 26 (shown in FIG. 5E), which pulls on the release member 24, which in turn pulls on the proximal end 23 of the cable. The force exerted by the spring is F2 (shown in FIG. 5E) and is shown at the opposite end of the cable in FIG. 3B. The release member 24 is adapted to move along its longitudinal axis (parallel to the cable 8), such that when a force F3 greater than force F2 is exerted on the cable 8 (also shown in FIG. 3A), the release member moves in a direction toward the inner surface 27 of the device housing. The release member is so adapted that when it passes the release pin 28, it pushes the release pin from its first position to its second position, thereby activating the first state of the release mechanism. When the force F3 is released, the release member 24 returns to its normal position, ensuring that the retractor device and release mechanism are in their second condition.

Claims

1. 1. A harness system for a child seat, comprising: At least one tension web; a retractor device connected to a first end of the at least one tension web, the retractor device configured to allow tightening of the tension web to move the tension web in a first direction and configured to allow slackening of the tension web to move the tension web in a second direction; a mating locking device connected to a second end of the tension web; and a locking mechanism configured to mate with the mating locking device to secure the mating locking device. a release mechanism connected to the retractor device, the release mechanism being configured to allow the retractor device to move the tension web in the first and second directions when the release mechanism is in a first state and configured to prevent the retractor device from moving the tension web in the second direction when the release mechanism is in a second state; Equipped with the release mechanism further comprising an actuator connected to the release mechanism, wherein movement of the actuator from a first position to a second position causes the release mechanism to move from the first state to the second state, or movement of the actuator from the second position to the first position causes the release mechanism to move from the second state to the first state; the position of the actuator allows a user to identify whether the release mechanism is in the first state or the second state; the release mechanism comprises a release arm adapted to be biased by the actuator and connected to the retractor device to lock the retractor device in either its first condition or its second condition; the actuator, the release arm and the locking mechanism are provided on a first release module arranged to be positioned between a user's legs adjacent to the crotch of the child seat; the retractor device, the release mechanism, the tension web and the mating locking device are mounted on a second release module disposed on the back of the child seat; 11. A harness system comprising: a first release module coupled to the second release module via a cable adapted to transmit a force applied to the first release module caused by movement of the actuator from the first position to the second position to the second release module; and a second release module adapted to transmit a force applied to the first release module caused by movement of the actuator from the second position to the first position to the second release module.

2. 2. The harness system of claim 1, wherein the release mechanism comprises a latch device disposed within the retractor device, the latch device in a first position locking the release mechanism in its first state and in a second position locking the release mechanism in its second state.

3. 3. The harness system of claim 1, wherein the release mechanism is resiliently biased to its second condition.

4. 4. The harness system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is an elongated member having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end of the elongated member configured to be pivotally connected to a child seat, the distal end comprising the locking mechanism.

5. 5. The harness system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is spring biased to automatically rotate to a position that enables the first state when the actuator is released.

6. 6. The harness system of claim 1, wherein the release mechanism comprises a fixed member separate from the actuator, which in a fixed position prevents the release mechanism from moving to its first state when the actuator is in its second position, and which in an open position allows the release mechanism to move to its first state when the actuator is in its first position.

7. 7. The harness system of claim 6, wherein the actuator is coupled to the fixed member, the actuator being configured to move the fixed member from its fixed position to its open position or vice versa.

8. A child seat comprising a harness system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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